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STOCKTON - The crime-fighting surveillance helicopter that has been in area skies for the past 18 months is for sale.
Organizers of the nonprofit Stockton Metro Air Support Inc. say a meeting today with Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez is the last hope before a final decision to sell the craft, which would make it no longer usable for local law enforcement.
The group needs to repay $230,000 in loans that already have been extended by anonymous sponsors who made the purchase of the aircraft possible, organizers said.
Stockton police Officer Tim Ray is president of the nonprofit group. He said the group was expecting more donations than it received. The helicopter has been used for about 90 hours of flight in Stockton, Lodi and San Joaquin County and has helped in two dozen arrests, Ray said.
Law enforcement officials agree the helicopter is useful.
Chavez said Tuesday he did not know what information the group would present today and could not guess what the options might be. He is scheduled to meet with the group at 3 p.m.
Organizers of the nonprofit Stockton Metro Air Support Inc. say a meeting today with Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez is the last hope before a final decision to sell the craft, which would make it no longer usable for local law enforcement.
The group needs to repay $230,000 in loans that already have been extended by anonymous sponsors who made the purchase of the aircraft possible, organizers said.
Stockton police Officer Tim Ray is president of the nonprofit group. He said the group was expecting more donations than it received. The helicopter has been used for about 90 hours of flight in Stockton, Lodi and San Joaquin County and has helped in two dozen arrests, Ray said.
Law enforcement officials agree the helicopter is useful.
Chavez said Tuesday he did not know what information the group would present today and could not guess what the options might be. He is scheduled to meet with the group at 3 p.m.
